And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately , saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
This verse opens what Bible scholars call the "Olivet Discourse" — Jesus' longest recorded teaching about the future, given on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem. Just before this, Jesus had told his disciples that the great temple in Jerusalem — one of the most magnificent buildings in the ancient world and the center of all Jewish religious life — would be completely torn down, stone by stone. This shook them to their core. So away from the crowds, they came to Jesus privately with urgent, frightened questions: when will this happen, and what will signal your return and the end of everything? It is an intensely human moment — people scared about the future asking the person they trust most to tell them what is coming.
Lord, I carry questions about the future that feel too big and too frightening to say out loud. Hear them anyway. And when your answer is less about timelines and more about how I live today, give me the grace to accept that — and to be faithful in the ordinary, uncertain hours in front of me. Amen.
There is something almost tender about picturing this scene: the disciples pulling Jesus aside privately, away from everyone else, because the question is too frightening to ask in public. The building they had organized their entire religious world around was apparently coming down. Of course they needed to know when. Of course they wanted a sign, a timeline, some way to feel less helpless in the face of what was coming. They brought Jesus the question that every generation has brought in some form: tell us what's ahead. Tell us how much longer. What Jesus gives them across the long discourse that follows is not a schedule. It is a way of living faithfully inside uncertainty — watchful, grounded, not paralyzed. The disciples thought they were asking about the future. Jesus mostly answered a question about the present: how do you live well when you don't know what's coming? Whatever frightened, urgent question you haven't said out loud to anyone — the one you'd only ask privately — bring it to him. Just be ready for an answer that calls you to faithfulness more than it satisfies your need for a forecast.
Why do you think the disciples came to Jesus privately with this question rather than asking in front of the crowds, and what does that tell you about the kind of relationship they had with him?
What is the question about the future you most wish Jesus would answer clearly for you right now — and how do you live faithfully in the absence of that answer?
People in virtually every generation have believed they were living in the end times. What does that recurring pattern tell us about how to interpret our own moment in history, and how should it shape the way we hold predictions about the future?
How does anxiety about what is coming — in the world, in your country, in your own family — affect the way you actually treat the people around you on an ordinary Tuesday?
Given that Jesus' answer to "what's coming?" is mostly a call to faithful present-tense living, what is one specific way you could practice that kind of faithfulness this week instead of scanning the horizon?
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 24:14
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Acts 1:6
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1 Thessalonians 5:1
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:37
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 24:30
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
Acts 1:7
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
Matthew 21:1
While Jesus was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, and said, "Tell us, when will this [destruction of the temple] take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end (completion, consummation) of the age?"
AMP
As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
ESV
As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will these things happen, and what [will be] the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?'
NASB
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
NIV
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
NKJV
Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world? ”
NLT
Later as he was sitting on Mount Olives, his disciples approached and asked him, "Tell us, when are these things going to happen? What will be the sign of your coming, that the time's up?"
MSG